Saturday Blitz
Fansided

SMU Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Temple in Week 8

By Clayton Panzeri

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Shane Buechele #7 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Shane Buechele #7 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 28: Shane Buechele #7 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs calls a play during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 28: Shane Buechele #7 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs calls a play during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. SMU struggles to score

SMU has been able to move the ball in every facet, being successful on the ground and through the air with almost 500 total yards a game. The Mustangs have run their offense solely through Shane Buechele who was a Texas transfer and sparked the senior leadership at SMU. Even with all of their success on offense, they could struggle against Temple who has a great defensive line.

This game over/under has been set at 59 points which for a college game could be extremely high for both programs. Both offenses have moved the ball well in the first half of the season, but there is something about that Temple defense that is able to grind opponents down and make offenses uncomfortable.

We saw a good Memphis team last week unable to effectively get anything going on the offensive side of the ball for about three quarters. This could be one of those games in Dallas where SMU has to grind it out and focus on their running game and exploit the defense where they can with Buechele.

Expect the SMU defense having to step up in key moments in order to win this game on Saturday.

Home/American